Sam Jones and Christian Science

Herbert M. Beck

Editor Times:—I have just read your report of Rev. Sam Jones' lecture, in which he makes some very serious and very erroneous remarks about Christian Science, and I desire to say a few words through your good paper based upon your report and the common talk of what he said.

As to the statement that Christian Science is an evil and a fad, I submit first, Mr. Jones' own argument that no man's opinion about a fact will change a fact. Furthermore, Mr. Jones is so far from the facts in this case that he clearly cannot judge. He says, "When you have a pain, all you have to do is to think you have no pain and it is not there. I know that is a lie!" Christian Scientists quite readily agree with our critic. Such a method would not cure the toothache he spoke of having, nor anything else. Christian Science does not "start with the theory that there is no pain." It starts with the fact, "In the beginning God," or, as I am told it stands in the original, "To begin with is God," and it continues from this beginning, following very logical conclusions and none other.

Like Job's young friend, Elihu, Christian Science comes, having "yet to speak on God's behalf," and not only confessing Him absolutely first in all things, but, through its practice as religion, its followers, who number "thousands upon thousands," are daily finding new life, new hope, more and better love, and more and better health.

Those who know Christian Science by its fruits, know that it is of God and is not evil; they know that it brings people to the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," and is not a fad.

Those "thousands upon thousands," who have been "caught" by the healing of their aches and heart-aches, have a right to render "unto God the things that are God's" without becoming the subject of flippant jokes, ridicule, and misrepresentation. Herbert M. Beck.

Fort Smith (Ark.) Times.

The following editorials appeared in connection with Mr. Beck's letter, which is given in part above.—[ED.]

Twice it has happened, once last year and again this year, that speakers on the Chautauqua platform have seriously offended and hurt a considerable part of the audience by critical, caviling, or otherwise offensive reference to their religious beliefs. Of course the Chautauqua directors cannot be expected to know in advance what each lecturer is going to say, but, bearing in mind the fact that the patronage of the Chautauqua is drawn from people of all beliefs, it would not be exacting too much of them to stipulate that nothing shall be said from the Chautauqua platform that can wound the religious sensibilities of any one.

The Chautauqua is not the place for the discussion of dogma. If religion enters, and it properly may do so, it should be on the broadest lines only.

Certainly the Chautauqua board cannot ask people generally to come to the assembly when their religious sensibilities are likely to be wounded, and their beliefs ridiculed, and this is so even though the majority of those who heard the speaker might entertain views similar to those expressed. Charity and forbearance count for a great deal more than any harsh criticism or coarse jest that carries with it a sting and reproach.—Fort Smith (Ark.) Times.

In the course of his talk Saturday night, Rev. Sam Jones took occasion to cast a slur upon the beliefs of the followers of Mrs. Eddy.

Now the writer of this article is not a member of the Christian Science Church, although he has been in a position to note the effects of their teachings and practices, and has a great respect for them. The man who says "there is nothing to Christian Science" does not know what he is talking about, for even members of the medical profession admit that there is a great deal to it; and the individual who, before an intelligent audience, will talk on the subject as Sam Jones did, not only offers a gratuitous insult to the members of a cult which has hundreds of thousands of followers among the intelligent men and women of the world, but he displays his crass ignorance and abominably bad taste.

And this with all due reference to the fact that the Rev. Sam Jones said some good things in his speech of Saturday night. for let us give every man his dues.

Fort Smith (Ark.) News Record.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit